Let the sunshine in! A Scrap FX stencils post

It was only a matter of time. 

Stencils are finally en vogue for all scrapbooking styles.

Scrap FX has some beautiful stencils and today I'll share a a clean and modern page scrapbook page I made with their "Pow Spots Stencil".

I love This photo of Lola with her two cousins- I've scrapped it at least 4 times so far. I added cream colored mist to give the "Bokeh" effect without the digital enhancement.
Materials: Scrap FX "So Happy Together" chipboard, Scrap FX "Pow Spots Stencil",  A Flair For Buttons  "Photos" pin, American Crafts "Shoreline" papers and gold glitter brads, Martha Stewart punch around the page pinked circle punch, Jenni Bowlin Blue Ribbon squeeze punch, Little Yellow Bicycle star pin, Maya Road star pin, Pop Dots, Grafix shirk film. Liquid Pearls in yellow, Kaiserkraft pearls in pink. Mister Huey in gold and cream

I love this stencil and thought I could use it to make a fun Super hero page but I realized I could also make some cool solar flare effects with it so I got to work on that instead.

Here's a close up of the shrink film pow spot- that looks like an
AWESOME "Gem" style earring to me!!!!

These could probably be made faster with a digital cutter but I like working with stencils to add gesso and paint accents to my pages so this was actually a departure from my usual technique.

I finished the wordlet (item number 2012060) with Diamond Stickles and Liquid Pearls in yellow-
the effect is subtle and really pretty.

If you swing by the blogs of my fellow Scrap FX design team members (or click on that link to go to the company blog and see work by the entire team) you'll see how they use different stencil products to their best advantage.

Clouds & Raindrops stencil. LOVE these out of the ordinary shapes!

Right now I'm loving:

• Michelle Logan's pages using the Chevron stencil
• Agnieszka Bellaidea's use of the palm frond stencil
• And I love the whimsy in all of Scarlett's pages lately- she uses templates in all her work

Swing by their blogs and check them out.

The entire team is making amazing stenciled pages so there will be more links coming your way in my next post. ;)

Gotta have those!!!!
 I'm SO GONNA MAKE THIS MY NEXT PROJECT! 

It's Friday mi gente!

Get out the August sun and get creative!

Going Tag crazy- a lesson in randomness

Hiya! Over the labor day holiday I found myself furiously trying to finish my tag project for Kreatorville Krafts.
For some reason I had a really hard time with it. I wanted to pull a "shock and awe" scrap stunt and that was my downfall- never forge into any creative endeavor with perfection in mind- that way lies madness.

Favorite 3 tags from my tag swap project for Kreatorville Krafts.

PROJECT GOALS:
1. Use my scrap pile- papers whose patterns I loved so much I kept even tiny pieces that were now taking over my desk.
2. Use metal rims from Making Memories. I have so many of these I wanted to showcase them in a project.
3. Make the actual tags- don't buy them.
3. Use at least 1 stamp and 1 punch on every tag- I have so many stamps and punches! They hardly get used because they are in plastic boxes out of easy reach- this forced me to break them out and play.

"MINI TUTORIAL"- insert self-derisive snort here.

1. Using ready made tag as a template, cut out tags from left over office folders.

2. Make 3 "test tags"- experiment with acrylic paint- decide it looks great. Ruin them with microbeads.

3. Paint each tag with white acrylic paint to tone- down bright primary hues a bit.

4.  Experiment with make up brushes to sprinkle Tattered Angels Golden Goddess Glimmer Glam. Mascara brush works best- so does dropper from Baby Ibuprofen (Hope Lola never needs it).

5. Mist each tag with Mister Huey"Warm Calico" to "soften" stark white paint- have fun with polka dot template left over from circle punches made for project.

6. Start layering paper bits- panic tags are all looking the same- take a break.

7. Take metal rims and attach using basic stitch to each tag- rims go over the actual photo.

8. Project has a message- think- add Kaiser Craft mini alphas to each tag then cover alphas with Glossy Accents so that they stay put while in the mail.

9. Stamp each tag and sign- make sure signature is illegible thus besides the point. Whatevs the project is DONE! WOO HOO!

WHAT I LEARNED:
1. Pre cut your scraps and just play with resulting random shapes- do NOT try to "pre-design" each tag.
2. Paint and mist the entire tag cardstock THEN cut out each tag- that makes your pattern more random and natural looking.
3. When layering tiny pieces on light background colors highlight edges to make them separate.
4. Sometimes starting with tag titles is best as that can lead your design process. Use word association to come up with titles that aren't too "bossy".
5. DO NOT try to make a multiple item project with impressing others in mind- you will get "crafter's block" and suffer many hours of self doubt- let it all hang out"- as it were.

Final Results:

Materials: Pendaflex folders- brights, Making Memories metal tag edges, Sassafras Lass Amplify paper,
Fiskars Large circle squeeze punch,  The Girl's Paperie "On Holiday" mixed dot paper, Ek Success Large Edger -circles,  Double embossed dotted lace and Bubbles punches, Jillibean Soup corrugated shapes

This was great- onto my next large project- hand made post cards for each and every facebook friend! Do you want one? Friend me! Michelle Hernandez, Brooklyn, New York- or not- you can see them here as I will post as I make them.

MuChOs SmOoChEs!
Michelle

FINALLY! Sun. Happy Dance! Happy daaance!

Oh. My. Gooodness! IS that sun? Actual- no joke- 80 degree sunny weather? I can't believe it! YAY! Time to go out and shoot shoot SHOOT! New York City in the summer is just the greatest- so much to do- most of it free- ya'll get on out there and enjoy!

Just Because card using  Punky Scraps Sketch by Camilla Dahlstrom
Materials: Bazzill Kraft paper, Memo and Summer Memories journaling tags, packaging from Elle's Studio, Studio Calico and Pink Paisley, Pink Paisley washi tape, Sassafras Lass alphas, Fiskars Abstract flower punch, My Little Showbox paper, Studio Calico Mister Huey "Piglet", Uniball white gel pen 

Here is a quick card using Elle's Studio. I just got their Savoring Summer kit- it's SO beautiful! Need to get started on the mini ASAP.

Here's a card interior view- now I need to find someone to give this to. :)

Yes I know it's crooked- that's on purpose- it's Punky!

Happy Memorial Day weekend. 

I am honoring my Brother Guarionex, my cousin Juan (Junior) and His Father Juan, my Uncle and his son Roberto, my cousin Rolando, my Uncle Nelson and Miss Claudia (can't forget you girlie!). Thank you guys- for keeping us safe, for putting your life on the line and for serving this country well. I am very proud to call you familia- hugs to all of you. I am so grateful you are all back home.

Memorial Day 2011- For those who didn't make it home.

MUCHOS SMOOCHES!!!!!!

Michelle